The Everyday Easy Crochet Cardigan – NEW PATTERN for Beginners
Looking for a pattern for your very first easy crochet cardigan? Here it is. The Everyday Easy Crochet Cardigan. The pattern is perfect for beginners!
Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free printable PDF: my store (best price), Etsy or Ravelry.
This site contains affiliate links. Please read full disclosure here.
Want to crochet the best easy cardigan!?
You have just found the free pattern for what probably is the easiest crochet cardigan EVER! The pattern is for absolute beginners and it really is both easy and super fun to make.
In the free crochet pattern below you’ll find video tutorials on how to make the stitches you need. The pattern only uses two of the most basic crochet stitches, called single crochet and double crochet.
You’ll also find picture guides that will guide you through the entire pattern step by step.
Very soon you’ll be done with your very own Everyday Easy Crochet Cardigan.
Now choose your favorite color yarn and let’s get the cardi-party going! Yay!
PIN ME FOR LATER!
Prefer a clean printable version? Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF on my store (best price), Etsy or Ravelry ☺️🧶
Inspiration for The Everyday Easy Crochet Cardigan
Don’t you just love cardigans? They never seem to be out of date or season. One of my favorites in my wardrobe is a cardigan. But unfortunately, it’s one I bought, not one I made myself. I feel so ashamed 😉
Since I’ve worn my cardigan so much it’s pretty worn out by now. So when I by chance stumbled upon the super gorgeous Hobbii Metallico I immediately imagined it to become my new favorite cardigan. The shine and softness of the yarn is amazing and I just couldn’t wait to get started.
Of course, I didn’t want to make a replica of my own cardigan. I couldn’t either since it’s knitted on a machine ☺️ Instead, I wanted to make a really easy crochet cardigan pattern that even beginners could follow. One that you can wear with practically everything. It should only use the basic stitches and should not have any hard-to-follow instructions. And:
IT SHOULD LOOK SUPER GOOD!
The edges of the cardigan should also be both pretty and straightforward. No hard parts at all, please. A thing I also love about beginner crochet patterns is when there’s a minimum of assembling after you’re done crocheting the pieces for your garment.
All of these thoughts combined turned into The Everyday Easy Crochet Cardigan. It’s easy, straightforward and looks so good.
The Everyday Easy Crochet Cardigan is so versatile you almost wouldn’t believe it. It’s so pretty with a cute dress, it’s trendy and cool with jeans and a tee, it’s cozy on a cold day. It’s great for any season. You name it, this cardigan has got it 😁
I’m pretty sure that I’m gonna end up having this cardigan in every color possible. What about you?
Construction
The Everyday Easy Crochet Cardigan is constructed in the easiest possible way and made for absolute beginners. Therefore there are no special stitches or hard-to-understand crochet terms and instructions.
The cardigan is made from two front panels, one back panel and two sleeves. They are all worked in rows lengthwise, using a super simple 1 and 2-row repeat.
You start by making the front panels and then the back panel. Then you make the sleeves. Remember the sleeves are designed to be short and not reach your wrist.
When you’re done crocheting all the parts you sew them together.
Skill level
Beginner
Sizing and measurements
These are the finished measurements of your garment, not your body measurements. Keep in mind that The Everyday Easy Crochet Cardigan is an oversized garment. Also, remember that the sleeves 3/4 long and do not reach the wrist.
Size S (M, L, XL, 2XL)
Sizes in inches:
Length – measured from neck to bottom:
16 1/2 (17 1/4, 18 1/2, 19 3/4, 21)
Width – measured just below the sleeves:
21 2/3 (22 1/2, 24 1/2, 26 1/2, 27 1/4)
Sleeve length – measured towards wrist:
12 2/3 (13, 13 3/4, 14 1/2, 15 2/3)
Sizes in cm:
Length – measured from neck to bottom:
42 (44, 47, 50, 54)
Width – measured just below the sleeves:
55 (57, 62, 67, 73)
Sleeve length – measured towards wrist:
32 (33, 35, 37, 39)
The model in the pictures is wearing a size M of this cute crochet cardigan.
Tools
I’ve linked the ones I like to use right here:
Crochet hook 4 mm
Darning needle
Scissors
Stitch markers
Yarn
Hobbii Metallico
Yardage: 50 grams = 115 meters (126 yds)
Color code: Powder (02)
The yarn is a polyamide, acrylic and wool blend. Even though it has a metallic effect it’s incredibly soft and smooth to work with. And the beautiful shine makes your work look so amazing.
MATERIALS
S: 9 skeins
M: 9 skeins
L: 11 skeins
XL: 12 skeins
2XL: 13 skeins
ALTERNATIVES
Other Worsted / Aran / 10 ply / 4-weight yarn.
Gauge
(This is an expression of how tight your work is)
4” / 10cm square = 16 stitches wide x 9 rows tall in double crochet using hook size 4 mm
Always make a test before you begin. If the gauge does not match the specified crochet hook, try changing to a larger or smaller one so that you find the hook with which you can achieve the specified gauge.
Pattern notes
Stitch counts for the different sizes are written in the order:
S (M, L, XL, 2XL)
At the end of each row you can see the total number of stitches for each size as follows:
E.g. for the sleeves:
[ 51 (52, 55, 58, 61) ]
Notes for the body panels and sleeves:
When you start in 3rd chain from the hook on row 1 these chains will count as 1 hdc.
When you start in 4th chain from the hook on row 3 these chains will count as 1 hdc.
Note that the ch 2 at the end of each row on both of the front and back panels and the sleeves count as 1 dc on the next row.
Always read the pattern thoroughly. You will find an explanation of all abbreviations below, both US and UK terms. The pattern uses US terms.
ABBREVIATIONS
st(s): stitch(es)
ch: chain
sc: single crochet (UK double crochet)
dc: double crochet (UK treble crochet)
Pssst! Download the FREE Crochet Stitch Abbreviation Guide. It contains information about abbreviations in 6 different languages.
Share your projects
I love to see your finished projects and WIPs! Use #everydayeasycrochetcardigan #yippieyarnyay and tag @yippieyarnyay on social media to show off your work and your process while you’re crocheting.
Let’s get startet 💖
Looking for more free crochet patterns?
Easy crochet cardigan pattern instructions
Body
The body consists of three parts: two front panels and a back panel.
Front panels
Make 2.
Use hook 4 mm. Worked in the rows.
Ch 67 (70, 75, 80, 86).
Row 1: Start in 3rd ch from the hook (counts as 1 dc). Make 1 dc in each st across, ch 2, turn [ 66 (69, 74, 79, 85) ]
Row 2: Start in 4th ch from the hook. Make 1 dc in each st across, ch 2, turn [ 66 (69, 74, 79, 85) ]
Repeat row 2: 14 (15, 17, 19, 21) times
You now have the following number of rows for the size:
S: 16
M: 17
L: 19
XL: 21
2XL: 23
Break yarn and weave in ends.
Back panel
Use hook 4 mm. Worked in the rows.
Ch 67 (70, 75, 80, 86).
Row 1: Start in 3rd ch from the hook (counts as 1 dc). Make 1 dc in each st across, ch 2, turn [ 66 (69, 74, 79, 85) ]
Row 2: Start in 4th ch from the hook. Make 1 dc in each st across, ch 2, turn [ 66 (69, 74, 79, 85) ]
Repeat row 2: 47 (49, 54, 59, 64) times
You now have the following number of rows for the size:
S: 49
M: 51
L: 56
XL: 61
2XL: 66
Break yarn and weave in ends.
Sleeves
Make 2.
Use hook 4 mm. Worked in the rows.
Ch 52 (53, 56, 59, 62).
Row 1: Start in 3rd ch from the hook (counts as 1 dc). Make 1 dc in the next 46 (47, 49, 52, 54) sts. Make 1 sc in the last 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, ch 1, turn. [ 51 (52, 55, 58, 61) ]
Row 2: Make 1 sc in the first 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts. Make 1 dc in the next 47 (48, 50, 53, 55) sts, ch 2, turn. [ 51 (52, 55, 58, 61) ]
Row 3: Start in 4th ch from the hook. Make 1 dc in the next 46 (47, 49, 52, 54) sts. Make 1 sc in the last 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, ch 1, turn. [ 51 (52, 55, 58, 61) ]
Repeat row 2 and 3: 32(32, 36, 38, 40) times.
Repeat row 2 once more.
You now have the following number of rows for the size:
S: 36
M: 36
L: 40
XL: 42
2XL: 44
Break yarn and leave a tail, approx. 59’’ / 150 cm, for attaching the sleeve to the body of the cardigan.
Assembly
Now it’s time to assemble your cardigan. Remember there are no right or wrong sides to any of the pieces you have made. That makes it so much easier ☺️
Start with the body panels.
Before you sew, lay the front panels on top of the back panel on a flat surface.
Thread a darning needle with a leftover piece of yarn, approx. 24’’ / 60 cm.
Whip stitch shoulder seams together.
Now it’s time to attach the sleeves.
Find the middle of your sleeves and mark it with a stitch marker. Make sure that the middle of the sleeves are exactly where the shoulders are sewn together.
Thread a darning needle with the tail of yarn you left on both sleeves.
Whip stitch the sleeves on.
Now fold your cardigan. Thread a darning needle with a piece of yarn, approx. 79’’ / 200 cm.
Whip stitch the sleeves and the body panels together.
Share your own easy crochet cardigan
Happy crocheting! 🧶✨
xx Sharlene
If you enjoyed this pattern, you may also like these patterns:
- Easy Milani Cardigan with pockets
- Easy Ribbed Beanie
- Aiden Sweater – Perfect for beginners
- Beginner-friendly Chunky Sweater
- Super Easy Sun Glass Case
Follow me:
Sharing is caring:
I am anxious to make this pattern. Just took my measurements and it seems I will need to make 2XL. I am aware that this cardigan has a significant “gap” in the front and am ok with that. But I usually wear size 6-8 and want to be sure I order sufficient amount of yarn but don’t want to greatly overbuy. Can you advise me?
Thank you,
Judith
Hi Judith
I’ll do my best to advise you 🙂 The crochet pattern states that you need 13 skeins of the advised yarn to make a size 2XL – check out the section about yarn.
Please share how the cardigan turns out.
I wish you a lovely day.
xx Sharlene
I am beginning the sweater but want to know if i am using the 2xl (chain 86) and the back panel is also 86, does the chain 86 indicate the length?
Hi Ann,
Yes, you’re absolutely right! All parts of the cardigan is worked lengthwise (check out “Construction”). This means that all body panels will start with the same number of chains to give them the same length. It’s the number of rows that are different and will make the front and back different sizes.
Happy crocheting,
Sharlene
Hi – front and back panel chain numbers are 67. I am a little confused – shouldn’t the front panel have less starting chains than the back panel? Thanks!!!
Hi Dori,
I can se how this could be confusing. All parts of the cardigan is worked lengthwise (check out “Construction”). This means that all body panels will start with the same number of chains to give them the same length. It’s the number of rows that are different and will make the front and back different sizes.
I hoop this makes sense – and please let me know how your cardigan turns out.
Enjoy crocheting,
Sharlene
I just started making this, XL size … I’m a little confused …
“Ch 67 (70, 75, 80, 86).
Row 1: Start in 3rd ch from the hook. Make 1 dc in each st across, ch 2, turn [ 66 (69, 74, 79, 85) ]
Row 2: Start in 4th ch from the hook. Make 1 dc in each st across, ch 2, turn [ 66 (69, 74, 80, 85) ]”
Starting with a chain 80, and dc in 3rd chain from hook, I don’t end up with 80 dc stitches. I end up with having only 77 dc stitches. Am I not following correctly, or is that a typo?
Hi,
Thank you for your message. I’m very sorry for the confusion. The stitch count was incorrect in row 2 and should of course 79 for size XL. I have corrected it.
When you start with 80 chains and then crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook and also count the chains you skip as a stitch (reference pattern notes), this should give you 79 stitches in total.
Please let med know how it turns out.
Best,
Sharlene